Resource Consumption

Museum of London – Sustainability Statement

The Museum of London is the leading museum for London. Understanding the environmental impacts of our activities and reducing these where possible is an important element of being a leading museum and an area where we are committed to continual improvement.In the following areas Museum of London will;

Management and legislation

  • develop and continually improve its information gathering, target setting and reporting on environmental issues
  • reflect environmental and sustainability issues in its public programme (exhibitions, events, activities) where relevant
  • encourage all staff to work in an environmentally responsible manner and to contribute to improving performance
  • ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, statutory regulation and codes of practice from Display Energy Certificates to disposal of hazardous materials

Resource consumption (energy and water)

  • monitor its energy and water consumption regularly
  • seek to implement energy and water efficient solutions as part of maintenance upgrades and major refurbishment projects
  • continually raise staff awareness and encourage a culture of responsible energy usage
  • use harvested rainwater for toilets where possible and for all garden irrigation
  • continue to look for ways to improve the energy efficiency of stores
  • monitor, maintain and run environmental control equipment at an optimum level reducing energy wastage
  • reduce its carbon footprint through a combination of the measures in this policy

The three ‘R’s (reducing, re-using, recycling) and waste management

  • increase the use of our website as a source of information rather than printed materials
  • reduce waste through minimising consumption, re-using and recycling
  • provide recycling containers and bins, and recycle paper, cardboard, glass, plastics (as accepted), cans and tins as a minimum at all sites
  • consider alternative options for equipment and materials before disposal
  • minimise the use of chemicals harmful to the environment to a level consistent with the needs to properly
  • and safely conserve objects
  • dispose of used and surplus chemicals in a safe and responsible manner using licensed contractors

Building and refurbishment

  • require all new building and refurbishment work to improve environmental performance through design, construction and operation for both public and back of house areas
  • carry out energy and environment appraisals and assessments in line with best practice when refurbishing premises
  • maintain high standards of energy and environmental management, including noise
  • ensure the Museum will not contaminate soil, ground and surface water from buildings, building materials or gas
  • require tenders, where necessary, to specify what Environmental or Waste Management Systems have been put in place and to monitor these

Procurement

  • aim to balance sustainability considerations with Value for Money principles
  • ensure materials used and goods purchased derive, where possible and relevant, from sustainable sources
  • work with catering partners to offer organic and fair-trade food and drink where possible
  • consider the sustainability policies and practices of suppliers and contractors
  • ensure all paper and printed materials for general use are, as a minimum, Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified

Travel and transport

  • encourage the use of public transport by staff and visitors
  • support cycling and car sharing initiatives
  • limit journeys by Museum vehicles to essential operational requirements
  • ensure Museum vehicles are maintained to ensure they run economically
  • consider different transport options when moving objects on loan, whilst ensuring care of collections

Approved by the Museum of London Executive Committee in February 2011

Tomorrow’s World: Britain’s Share in a Sustainable Future. by Bullock, Simon, McLaren, Duncan and Yousuf, Nusrat.

Researched and written by an eminent team at Friends of the Earth, Tomorrow’s World argues that Britain must make deep cuts in resource consumption in order to allow developing countries to escape from poverty, and to prevent further breaches of environmental limits.